The Su God of the Reopening of the Sports Arena

Chapter 2466 The Semifinals Begin! The Nightmare Will End Here.

The competition reached its climax the following day.

The lights at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, are focused on the 110-meter hurdles track.

The plastic track gleamed with a cool, austere luster under the light and shadow.

As the starting signal for the first heat of the men's 110m hurdles semifinals sounded, the enthusiasm of the entire audience was reignited.

Eight top hurdlers took to the stage one after another, and one familiar red figure instantly made tens of thousands of Chinese spectators erupt in cheers. He was Xie Wenjun, a famous Chinese hurdler.

China Sports Channel.

"Please welcome the first group of athletes!" Commentator Yang Jian's voice echoed throughout the stadium through the speakers as eight figures walked out of the athletes' tunnel one after another, instantly becoming the focus of everyone's attention.

First to take the field was Sergei Shubenkov, the Russian star in lane 3. This top athlete, born in 1990, wore a blue, tight-fitting racing suit with the Russian flag prominently displayed on his chest. He was very tall, with well-defined and explosive muscles; his nickname, "Russian Fighting Superman," made him the top favorite in his group. Shubenkov, hands on his hips, slowly strolled to the side of the track, his sharp eyes scanning the hurdles ahead. Occasionally, he would stretch his shoulders and neck, exuding an air of unwavering confidence, as if first place in the group was already his for the taking.

Hansl Pachment, the Jamaican rider in lane five, is wearing a yellow racing suit. Born in 1990, he is at the peak of his competitive career, and his season time of 13.10 seconds gives him the ability to challenge for a top-three finish in his group.

He repeatedly moved his ankles and knees, and seriously adjusted his running shoes, clearly taking this semi-final very seriously. Every warm-up movement showed his full concentration.

French competitor Garfield Darien, in lane 4, wore a red racing suit. Born in 1987, he is experienced and his season time of 13.25 seconds is the foundation for his qualification for the final.

He walked to the hurdle, bent down to feel its height, and then performed several small hurdle simulations. His movements were smooth and standardized, demonstrating the composure and calmness of a veteran.

They've advanced to the finals.

That was his ultimate wish.

After all, there are only three medals: gold, silver, and bronze.

For most ordinary people, it's something they'll never be able to touch in their entire lives; the most likely outcome is making it to the finals.

I received an award certificate.

That would be pretty good.

At least the honors section can show that you reached the finals of a major competition.

Shane Braswait from Barbados in lane 7, Joe Vito de Oliveira from Brazil in lane 8, and Seku Kaba from lane 2 also made their appearances, each engaging in targeted warm-ups.

Some focused on leg stretching to fully activate the hip and hamstring muscles; some practiced the starting push-off repeatedly to refine their starting rhythm; and others trained in arm swing and hurdling coordination to ensure the continuity of their technical movements.

Athletes from different countries, dressed in their distinctive racing attire, created a beautiful scene on the track, making the competitive atmosphere even more intense.

When Xie Wenjun entered the arena in lane 6, the cheers from the "Bird's Nest" instantly rose by a decibel.

This Chinese hurdler, born in 1990, wore a red tight-fitting jersey with the word "CHINA" shining brightly under the lights. He paired black shorts with white running shoes. His height of about 1.90 meters gave him a significant advantage among Asian hurdlers. His long limbs not only allowed him to have a longer stride in hurdles, but also enabled him to quickly connect his rhythm between hurdles.

However, this height is only considered average among foreign athletes.

Because hurdles are different from sprinting, the overall height requirement for hurdles is higher. Don't be fooled by the fact that the world record holder is relatively short; the height he reports is quite tall.

This is because you are too short, which gives you a natural disadvantage in hurdles.

However, Xie Wenjun's body proportions are quite good.

After all, they were selected from the best of the best.

They are not much inferior to these black people.

Among Black people, there are those with different physical conditions. The top-tier ones are naturally incomparable, but those who are good or excellent can still meet the standards.

As a mainstay of Chinese hurdling, Xie Wenjun inherited the technical essence of Sun Haiping's school and is known for his "stable rhythm between hurdles and strong sprinting power". Competing on home soil this time, he carries the expectations of countless Chinese viewers.

When Xie Wenjun entered the arena, he didn't try to cater to the cheers of the audience. He simply let his hands hang naturally and walked steadily and powerfully towards lane 6. A calm smile graced his face, and his eyes showed no tension or restlessness, only focus and determination on the competition. Upon reaching the track, he first jogged half a lap around the railing to loosen up his joints, then began a targeted warm-up, starting with 10 large lunges to fully stretch his hips and hamstrings.

This is the core power source for hurdler, directly affecting the extension of the hurdling stride and the efficiency of the push-off.

Then, perform 5 sets of arm swing resistance training, swinging your arms back and forth while pulling the elastic band to strengthen your shoulder and back muscles and ensure that your arm swing can provide sufficient assistance for your body balance when running between hurdles and hurdling.

"Xie Wenjun's pre-competition warm-up was quite good; we can see that he made full use of each set." Liu Xiang, as a former world-class athlete, is naturally very professional.

"For example, in the core part of this warm-up, Xie Wenjun focused on refining his hurdling technique. He stood between the starting area and the first hurdle, repeatedly simulating the transition from the start to the first hurdle: bending his knees, pushing off the ground, swinging his arms, and lifting his legs. Every movement was compact and standardized. When lifting his legs, his knee height was precise, his body's center of gravity was stable at the moment of hurdling, and his feet cushioned the impact smoothly when landing between hurdles, without any unnecessary movements. Another example is his hurdling stride, which is extended but not sluggish, and his stride frequency between hurdles is stable. He is obviously adapting to the track conditions and finding the best technical rhythm."

Liu Xiang's commentary skills during matches are certainly far inferior to Yang Jian's, but when it comes to these professional topics...

He is far more proficient than the latter.

"Xie Wenjun's advantage lies in his control of the rhythm between hurdles. His hurdling movements are smooth and fluid with very few pauses, which allows him to maintain a consistent speed between the 10 hurdles."

"Moreover, his height of 1.90 meters allows him to cover a wider range of hurdles and take fewer steps between hurdles, which can effectively save time. His goal this time is to break through the semi-finals, enter the top three in his group, and successfully advance to the finals."

As Liu Xiang spoke, he became quite excited, as it was, after all, his main project.

There was a time when he actually dreamed of participating in this competition held on his home turf.

But it seems like the Bird's Nest is their home stadium.

We clash somewhat.

The more you want to achieve something.

The more frequent the changes, the better.

Desiring but not obtaining.

Xie Wenjun had already walked to the starting blocks. He bent down to feel the elasticity of the track, then whispered a few words to the coach and adjusted the angle and spacing of the starting blocks.

Because the hurdles event places extremely high demands on the connection between the start and the first hurdle, his starting block settings were repeatedly calibrated to ensure that he could quickly enter the hurdles' rhythm after the start, avoiding any deviation in step placement that could affect his technique. His gaze remained fixed on the hurdles ahead, his eyes becoming increasingly sharp, and his entire body gradually entering a state of "moderate tension."

It maintains flexibility while building up strength for the upcoming outbreak.

Spectators along the track raised the five-star red flag, and their shouts of "Go Xie Wenjun!" echoed loudly and powerfully above the "Bird's Nest".

As everyone knows, hurdling not only tests speed and strength, but also the precise control of technique and rhythm. Xie Wenjun has secured a place among many strong competitors thanks to her stable technical performance.

Several young hurdling enthusiasts held up signs that read "Wenjun crosses the finish line and advances to the finals," their fluorescent lights flashing in the night to cheer him on.

The other runners had finished warming up and returned to their respective tracks. Shubenkov maintained his confident posture, standing with his hands on his hips in the starting area, occasionally glancing up at the finish line, as if victory had already been secured.

Papillon sat by the track, closing his eyes to rest and trying to calm himself down through breathing exercises.

Darryl then had a final technical discussion with his coach, gesturing with his fingertips on the track to indicate the steps and rhythm of hurdling.

With all eight athletes in place, the cheers at the "Bird's Nest" gradually subsided, replaced by intense anticipation and tension.

The lights were focused on the 110-meter hurdles track.

The 10 railings are like 10 fortresses waiting to be conquered.

Witnessing the upcoming contest of speed and technology.

Xie Wenjun stood in lane 6, leaning slightly forward, her gaze firmly fixed on the front. Her red figure stood out among the contestants.

He is fully prepared and waiting for the starting gun to fire, ready to use his strength to break into the top three of his group and strive for a spot in the finals.

Sun Haiping was also watching from the side.

For him, Liu Xiang was a treasure bestowed by heaven.

But Xie Wenjun was also a gift from heaven.

Because he never expected that after the former retired, he would be able to find a player so quickly who could compete for the finals of major competitions, or even a medal.

This is already treating myself very well.

otherwise.

I don't know if I'll ever see another player who can make it to the finals.

Although in recent years it has been said that the 110-meter hurdles is our traditional strength.

But only he, the meritorious coach who had followed along the way, knew.

Where did this supposed strength come from?
This project is the only one that once had the world's strongest genius.

Otherwise, even if we look back at the second person.

Big rocks.

That's only at the level of dominating Asia.

In international competitions, the best they can do is try their best to reach the finals.

It's already very difficult to move up any further.

Moreover, it's very difficult to maintain that state.

In this respect.

Xie Wenjun has a solid foundation and started training on Ersha Island early on, so her physical qualities are completely different from those of traditional sprinters and hurdlers.

In Ralph Manta's words—

Your Chinese team has two groups of players.

One batch is right here.

A batch is already outside.

Their physical abilities are definitely no worse than those of European and American athletes.

Outside.

They are definitely no match for European and American athletes.

That's very straightforward.

But Sun Haiping himself actually agrees with this statement.

So you can see that the people trained by the other teams simply don't have a chance to reach this stage.

Even meeting the standards is a very difficult task.

In comparison.

Xie Wenjun.

It's already a blessing from heaven.

but.

Even though he has coached athletes of the highest caliber.

He is still taking care of Xie Wenjun.

Of course, we also hope that Xie Wenjun can achieve good results.

Just like the miracle he created in Moscow.

Because of the battle on our doorstep.

You can win a medal.

That's what everyone is really paying attention to.

Although everyone thought it was impossible for you to win the gold medal.

can.

Since everyone's expectations have been lowered.

So, the medals.

That is everyone's hope.

If this is achieved, it will be of great benefit to Xie Wenjun's future.

The future career paths within various systems will also be arranged.

It's a way to make the higher-ups look good, and it also makes them look good.

If you don't perform well.

The same words I used to say to Liu Xiang could very well be applied to Xie Wenjun as well.

If you don't run well at the Bird's Nest.

Previous honors and achievements.

It probably doesn't mean much.

That was certainly a bit harsh.

However, from a practical perspective, this applies to both the higher-ups and the athletes themselves.

There's some truth to both.

Achieving a good result here.

It surpasses ten times achieved in other major competitions.

Because this is where the strongest impression-based build is constructed.

Unless I win a gold medal later.

Otherwise, this medal will be the majority of people's memories of you after your retirement.

"set".

"Go Xie Wenjun!"

Let's all cheer him on!

Liu Xiang rubbed his hands together.

Watching the commentary, he seemed even more nervous than he was during the semi-finals.

Of course, this is quite normal, because for him...

For Liu Xiang in the past.

The semi-finals were indeed just a warm-up.

It's just to get a better position in the finals.

Of course, I won't be nervous.

This is completely different from Xie Wenjun.

Although the number of truly top-tier players has decreased, and Merritt is not in top form, the overall number of top-tier players is still increasing.

It won't be easy for Xie Wenjun to stand out.

In the semi-finals, you need to run a good race, but you also need to conserve your energy and not sprint too fast, since it has now been changed to be similar to a 100-meter race, with two races in one day.

In such a situation, one cannot be careless.

We also need to consider the issue of energy distribution.

Liu Xiang was also a little nervous.

Because he didn't know how well Xie Wenjun was managing her physical energy.

Electronic commands pierced through the hustle and bustle of the "Bird's Nest".

It instantly gripped the breath of tens of thousands of audience members.

Eight top hurdlers quickly anchored their respective lanes. Xie Wenjun, in lane 6, wearing a fiery red outfit, slowly bent down with her 1.90-meter-tall figure, the word "CHINA" on her chest dancing like flames under the lights.

He lightly touched the track with his fingertips, his gaze fixed on the first hurdle 7.32 meters ahead, his entire body tense and ready to spring into action.

The core of this contest was destined from the beginning to focus on his signature "seven-step hurdle" technique.

If you don't perform well here, then you'll lose everything.

The semifinals don't have the same margin for error as the preliminaries.

He is not Liu Xiang either.

So we have to take this shot.

I won't say I'll go all out.

You also need to concentrate fully.

As the core force of Chinese hurdling after Liu Xiang, Xie Wenjun's seven-step hurdle technique, which he has honed over many years, has long been a key weapon for him to break through bottlenecks.

At that moment, he precisely adjusted the starting block spacing:
With the front foot 42 centimeters from the starting line and the back foot 35 centimeters apart from the front foot, this meticulously crafted setup is tailor-made for the seven-step hurdle.

This allows him to complete the seven-step sequence with the most compact stride frequency after starting, precisely stepping on the starting point of the first hurdle.

His upper limbs maintained a supporting posture, with the elbow angle locked in the 90° golden range, and the shoulder girdle muscles moderately tightened, ensuring both flexibility in exertion and providing stable upper limb traction for the seven-step acceleration.

The core muscles are taut like steel cables, with the transverse abdominis and erector spinae muscles providing rigid support to prevent the body's center of gravity from shifting when hurdling, thus laying a solid foundation for the continuity of the seven-step rhythm.

The strong competitors on the adjacent track were equally ready: Sergei Shubenkov, the Russian star in lane 3, used the traditional eight-step approach to the hurdle, with his center of gravity extremely low. His blue racing suit was taut, showing off his smooth muscle lines, as if he wanted to seize the initiative with absolute speed.

In lane 5, Jamaican cyclist Hansl Pachment repeatedly wiggled his ankles. His yellow racing suit stood out under the lights. His eight-step approach to the hurdles was steady, and all he needed to do now was maintain his rhythm.

Meanwhile, French athlete Garfield Darien in lane 4 and Barbados athlete Shane Braswait in lane 7 also adjusted their postures, displaying the traditional eight-step hurdle technique in unison, which contrasted sharply with Xie Wenjun's seven-step hurdle technique, creating a tense competitive atmosphere on the track.

After a few seconds.

Xie Wenjun slowly lifted her hips, and the muscles in her back leg tightened simultaneously as she pushed off the ground, pressing her feet firmly against the starting block pedals, like a spring compressed to its limit.

He kept his upper body leaning forward at a 40° angle, his gaze still fixed on the first hurdle, his breathing deliberately slowed, and he focused all his attention on the closed loop of "listening to the gun - pushing off the ground - seven steps connecting".

At this moment, the "Bird's Nest" fell into extreme silence. Tens of thousands of spectators held their breath, clenched their fists, and waited for that red figure to tear open the track with a seven-step hurdle.

Bang——————

"Game start!"

Liu Xiang was also clearly a bit off about the timing, but he still said, "The competition has begun."

The moment the starting gun fired, Xie Wenjun's explosive power from pushing off the ground erupted instantly.

The moment the back foot pushes off the starting block, the hip, knee, and ankle joints extend simultaneously, generating a powerful ground reaction force. At the same time, the bent arm swings forward, propelling the upper body forward and initiating the rhythm of the seven-step hurdles.

His starting reaction time was 0.138 seconds, slightly slower than Shubenkov's 0.132 seconds, but his technical advantage of seven steps to the hurdle was evident from the very first step.

The first step was precisely 1.45 meters long, and each subsequent step was steadily increased by 5 centimeters, maintaining a consistent stride frequency. It was both fast and steady, without any hesitation.

Compared to athletes who use an eight-step hurdle approach and need to consciously adjust their stride frequency after starting to connect with the hurdle, Xie Wenjun's seven-step hurdle approach is more compact and efficient. In the first two steps, he quickly establishes an acceleration rhythm, with his legs alternating like a small motor. His upper body, including the bending and swinging of his arms, works in a 1:1 coordinated ratio with his leg movements, resulting in smooth and unimpeded power transmission.

Starting in the third step, his center of gravity gradually shifts forward to prepare for the hurdle, and his stride length further increases.

Yet it still maintained a stable cadence.

There was no "rhythm stuttering" that is common in the eight-step hurdle approach; by the fifth step, he had approached 3 meters in front of the first hurdle, his eyes were always locked on the top of the hurdle, and his core muscles tightened further to ensure a stable body posture.

In the sixth step, the force of pushing off the ground increases significantly, and the elastic potential energy of the ankle accumulates rapidly.

The seventh and most crucial step was the starting stride. His back foot landed precisely at the starting point 1.2 meters from the hurdle, and he released all the accumulated explosive power the moment he pushed off the ground.

The body is like a bowstring that has been drawn out for a long time.

The slingshot is fired.

It leaped quickly toward the hurdle.

Throughout the entire seven-step transition, Xie Wenjun's movements were as precise as a fine instrument, without the slightest unnecessary sway. From pushing off the ground to taking the hurdle, the seven steps were executed in one smooth motion. The advantage of having one less step than the traditional eight-step hurdle approach gave him a slight advantage of 0.02 seconds before the first hurdle.

As his body soared into the air, his legs alternately leaping over the hurdles, his red figure drew a smooth arc in the air. The height of the hurdles was controlled within 10 centimeters, which not only avoided wasting time by leaping over too high hurdles, but also prevented the risk of rubbing against the hurdles. This perfectly interprets the core meaning of the seven-step hurdle-jumping method: "compact, efficient, and precise".

In contrast, Shubenkov, although he reacted faster at the start, had a relatively slow pace in his eight-step hurdle approach. He barely caught up with Xie Wenjun's pace on his eighth step. When the blue figure soared over the hurdle, his body posture was slightly stiff, and the hurdle height reached 15 centimeters, which consumed some extra energy.

Papillon's eight-step hurdles were decent, with a steady pace but insufficient stride length, causing him to fall behind Xie Wenjun by half a body length at the hurdles.

After the first hurdle, Xie Wenjun's red figure had already taken a slight lead. The advantage he gained from getting over the hurdle in seven steps allowed him to establish control of the pace on the track.

"A good start, leading the pack!"

In the second column, Xie Wenjun further amplified her advantage with her seven-step approach.

During the hurdles, he maintained a tight stride frequency, using three steps to transition between hurdles.

This perfectly matches his seven-step hurdles rhythm, maintaining a stride frequency of 4.2 steps per second and a stride length of 1.8 meters, with each step precisely timed.

His upper limbs remained bent, with his elbows close to his torso, and the swing trajectory was completely consistent with the direction of his body's movement, minimizing the drag coefficient.

When the lower limbs push off the ground, the hip rotation is precise, and the forward swing of the thigh and the swing of the arm work together to generate force. The alternation of muscle contraction and relaxation is highly efficient, with almost no wasted effort.

As he cleared the hurdle, his control of his center of gravity was exceptional. His torso leaned forward at a 35° angle, his legs moved smoothly in alternation, and his feet cushioned the impact of landing quickly, instantly converting the force of the landing into propulsion without any hesitation.

However, Shubenkov is not weak either.

His performance and consistency this year seem to be even better than a few years ago.

At this point, he was in the zone, and his hurdle running distance after the eight-step approach reached 1.9 meters. He tried to close the gap by taking advantage of his stride length, but the rhythm of the three steps between the hurdles was a bit rushed, and his body swayed noticeably when he landed, wasting some speed.

Papillon experienced a step misalignment during the hurdle run, forcing him to fine-tune his stride frequency, which further reduced his speed. After the second hurdle, Xie Wenjun's lead widened to 0.05 seconds, and his red figure became increasingly conspicuous on the track. The "early rhythm advantage" brought by his seven steps over the hurdle allowed him to maintain firm control of the race.

The third column shows that the competitive landscape is gradually becoming clearer.

Xie Wenjun's seven-step hurdle technique has become fully automated, with increasingly smooth transitions between the three steps, and a relaxed and composed posture. His core muscles remain rigid, preventing body swaying during hurdle runs and ensuring that each push-off is precisely directed in the direction of propulsion.

His hips are extremely flexible, and when clearing hurdles, his hip rotation reaches 40°, which is 5° more than Shubenkov's. This allows his thighs to swing forward more fully, making his hurdling motion more fluid and saving time.

After clearing the hurdle, his landing buffer time was only 0.1 seconds, far lower than Shubenkov's 0.12 seconds. This slight difference gradually accumulated into a significant advantage in high-intensity hurdling competitions.

Shubenkov was unwilling to fall behind, so he began to deliberately increase his cadence between hurdles in an attempt to shorten the time between hurdles. However, the technical inertia of his eight-step approach to the hurdle made it difficult for him to adjust quickly. As his cadence increased, his stride length shortened significantly, and his overall speed decreased instead of increasing.

Papiron fell far behind, his hurdle-running rhythm became chaotic, and he even grazed the hurdles slightly, causing his speed to drop further. After the third hurdle, Xie Wenjun was already a body length ahead of Shubenkov. His red figure moved like lightning, rapidly advancing on the track. The "rhythmic dominance" brought by his seven-step hurdle approach allowed him to establish a solid lead in the first three hurdles.

"You performed well in the first few hurdles, and you've stabilized the situation!"

"You should be in first place, that's a good performance, Ah Jun!" Liu Xiang was also quite excited.

The feeling of commentating is completely different from the feeling of playing the game yourself.

It also gives you the feeling of being in someone else's game.

bang bang

The fourth column.

Xie Wenjun's performance remained consistent. His seven-step hurdle technique was evident not only in the initial stage but also in his overall rhythm control throughout the race.

The starting point, clearance height, and landing cushioning of each hurdle are all performed with highly consistent standard movements. This stability is a testament to the ultimate refinement of the seven-step hurdle technique.

His breathing remained even, and his chest expansion was steady, without any signs of shortness of breath. Clearly, the efficient power generation mode brought about by the seven-step hurdles allowed him to consume relatively less energy.

As he cleared the hurdle, his gaze remained fixed on the hurdle ahead, focused and unwavering, without the slightest lapse in concentration.

Shubenkov had gradually entered his own state. Although his face was slightly distorted due to the exertion and the veins in his neck were bulging, his stride frequency between hurdles was increasing, approaching Xie Wenjun's level. However, due to rhythm issues, his weakness of insufficient stride length was still obvious, and he was unable to narrow the gap with Xie Wenjun.

French athlete Darien, with his rich experience, steadily improved his pace and formed a second group with Papillon, but the gap between him and Xie Wenjun and Shubenkov has widened to one and a half body lengths.

After the fourth hurdle, Xie Wenjun reached his peak speed. His red figure moved forward on the track like flowing water. The advantage brought by his seven steps over the hurdle has made him an unshakable leader on the track.

In the fifth column, Xie Wenjun's seven-step approach to the column had a complete and explosive effect.

During the hurdles, his stride frequency and stride length were perfectly balanced, with a stride frequency of 4.1 steps per second and a stride length of 1.85 meters. This perfect combination allowed him to maintain a high speed.

When clearing hurdles, he keeps his body height in the air within the optimal range, his legs move smoothly like scissors, and when he lands, he pushes off the ground with his feet and generates power instantly, efficiently converting the landing energy into propulsion, forming a virtuous cycle of "hurdle clearing-landing-acceleration".

At this moment, there was no sign of fatigue on his face. Although his muscle lines were taut, they also conveyed a sense of relaxed control, indicating that he had not yet used up all his strength.

It's not just that he did well in the fifth column.

The rest of the people are fine too.

Especially the Russian and Jamaican athletes.

After the fifth column, the landscape of the competition reached a critical turning point.

Russian star Shubenkov has finally entered his peak competitive state, completely breaking the technical inertia of his eight-step hurdle approach and replacing it with a smooth and exhilarating acceleration sprint. His slightly stiff posture in the early stages has become completely relaxed, his hip rotation range has increased from 40° to 45°, his hurdle running frequency has soared to 4.3 steps per second, and his stride length has also increased to 1.9 meters, far exceeding the previous 1.8 meters.

The blue figure surged forward as if an accelerator had been pressed, and the gap between it and Xie Wenjun narrowed at a visible speed.

Jamaican athlete Hansler also had a breakout performance. He overcame the sluggish rhythm of the first few hurdles, and his transitions between the eight hurdles became increasingly smooth. His stride frequency of three steps between hurdles was stable at 4.2 steps per second, and his stride length remained in the efficient range of 1.85 meters.

As he cleared the hurdle, he precisely controlled his body's height in the air to 12 centimeters, shortening the landing buffer time to 0.11 seconds. Each push-off was accompanied by a powerful burst of force. His yellow figure tightly gripped the front, forming a "two-horse chase" situation with Shubenkov. The gap that had been widened was quickly reduced, and he gradually approached Xie Wenjun's red figure.

Although Xie Wenjun still holds the lead, the strong comebacks from Shubenkov and Papiron are putting pressure on her. Shubenkov's more powerful push-off significantly improves his propulsion between hurdles, allowing him to accelerate instantly after each hurdle without any pause.

The Jamaicans, on the other hand, maintained a steady pace and gradually closed the gap with the front line. The difference between the three was quickly reduced from one and a half body lengths to half body lengths, creating a tense situation on the track where the three figures in red, blue, and yellow were advancing side by side.

French runner Garfield Darien was left behind by this sprint wave. Although he maintained a steady pace, he was no longer able to compete in the top group.

Barbados' Shane Braswait and other competitors were completely outmatched and could only watch as the battle for the top three intensified.

Brasvait didn't seem to be in particularly good shape. He didn't join the competition for the top spot as expected.

Before the sixth hurdle, the air on the track was almost ignited by the three closely matched figures.

Xie Wenjun maintained the rhythm advantage of the seven-step hurdles throughout, with the three steps between hurdles flowing smoothly.

There was absolutely no lag.

His starting point was still precise, his back foot pushed off the ground with solid force, his torso remained stable and leaned forward as his body took off, and his legs moved alternately and smoothly.

When going over the hurdle, you can hardly hear the friction sound of the hurdle.

Upon landing, the ball of the foot cushions the impact quickly, instantly converting the force into propulsion, and maintaining firm control of the rhythm.

But Shubenkov's momentum was unstoppable.

This Russian star has completely broken free from the constraints of his earlier rhythm. His stride between hurdles has become more fluid and powerful, with each step carrying a crushing sense of propulsion. His hips have opened up to a much greater extent than before, and his body's trajectory in the air is flatter when clearing hurdles. After landing, he can immediately connect to the next acceleration without much adjustment. The blue figure and the red figure are now very close, almost able to feel each other's breath.

Shubenkov's strength this year is indeed far greater than it was two years ago.

No wonder he's a contender for this year's champion.

A person who can start in 13 seconds in a race.

have nothing to say.

It's about absolute strength.

Hansler was equally focused, his yellow figure like a whirlwind clinging to the track. He fine-tuned his pace between hurdles, making his strides more compact before taking off, lowering his center of gravity as he cleared the hurdles, reducing his time in the air, and increasing the explosive power of his landing.

They consistently stayed close to the top two.

The three-man first team was like a taut straight line, with no gap between them. The cheers from the "Bird's Nest" became increasingly urgent, and every hurdle clear was accompanied by the breathless shouts of the entire stadium.

"Shubenkov is in a real hurry."

"The gap is gradually narrowing."

Liu Xiang, drawing on his experience as an athlete, said:

"Don't fight him head-on. It's okay to give up first place, after all, there's still one more shot to go."

"Remember to conserve your energy, conserve your energy!"

This is because athletes and commentators have different perspectives.

This resulted in their interpretations being completely different.

In the seventh column, Shubenkov completed a crucial comeback.

He seized the brief pause in Xie Wenjun's rhythm adjustment after clearing the hurdle, suddenly accelerating his pace between hurdles. When he pushed off the ground, his leg muscles exploded with even greater power, propelling his body forward like an arrow. His hip rotation was more flexible when clearing the hurdle, and the speed of his alternating legs was faster than before.

The blue figure instantly overtook Xie Wenjun.

They have taken the lead.

Although Xie Wenjun was overtaken, she did not panic and maintained her technical rhythm, with her hurdling movements remaining standard.

He knew exactly what he had to do.

He's no longer a naive young man.

In 08, he could only watch Liu Xiang peacefully retire at the Bird's Nest.

Now he.

I just want to leave my red image at the Bird's Nest final.

To fulfill Liu Xiang's unfulfilled regret.

Complete it here.

He could only sense the Jamaicans approaching from behind.

It seems they're not planning to keep second place for themselves.

He subconsciously tightened his core and slightly increased the range of his arm swing, trying to stabilize himself.

Hansler seized the opportunity to close the gap, his hurdling became more aggressive, his take-off point was slightly earlier, and his front leg was extended more fully when he was in the air, closely following Xie Wenjun, ready to look for an opportunity to overtake at any time.

This is an era without superstars.

So seize the opportunity and you'll have a chance to reach the top.

This is certainly a stimulus for ordinary athletes as well.

The eighth column further clarifies the track layout.

Once Shubenkov took the lead, he completely controlled the pace of the race. His hurdle runs became increasingly relaxed, with each step precisely timed.

The body posture is relaxed and stable when clearing hurdles.

There was not a trace of impatience or eagerness to achieve quick results.

The blue figure is like a navigator on the racetrack.

Gradually widening the distance between himself and the two people behind him.

Xie Wenjun, on the other hand, faced a strong challenge from Hansler.

The Jamaicans unleashed their full potential in the later stages, their propulsion between hurdles grew stronger and stronger, their height control during hurdle clearance was perfect, and their explosive power upon landing was immense. The gap between the yellow and red figures narrowed continuously, and they even ran side by side for a period of time during the hurdle race.

With her solid technical skills, Xie Wenjun maintained a stable three-step transition between hurdles, and her arm swing was concise and efficient without any deviation, firmly holding onto second place.

"hold onto!"

These are Yang Jian's words.

"Remember to conserve your energy! Don't overexert yourself!"

"If it really doesn't work out, we can just let it go!"

These are Liu Xiang's words.

In the ninth column, Hansler launched a decisive attack.

He deliberately increased his stride frequency before taking the first stride and used all his strength when pushing off the ground.

The body was lifted to a slightly higher height than before.

The front leg extends to its maximum extent.

After clearing the hurdle and landing, it quickly connects and accelerates.

Bang bang bang.

The yellow figure succeeded...

He passed Xie Wenjun.

It jumped to second place.

Xie Wenjun felt double pressure at this moment.
Shubenkov's lead had widened to more than half a body length ahead of him, and other athletes behind him were also trying their best to catch up. However, he did not lose his composure. Instead, he quickly adjusted his mindset and brought out the best in the technical stability of his seven-step hurdle approach. His take-off point was still precise when clearing the hurdle, his body center of gravity was stable, and there was no deviation in the coordination between his arm swing and leg movements. Although he lost second place, he still firmly held the key third position, and the gap between him and Hanssler ahead of him did not widen further.

"Unfortunately, they've been overtaken; they're third now!"

Yang Jian felt somewhat regretful.

Liu Xiang breathed a sigh of relief.

Because he was genuinely afraid that Xie Wenjun would act impulsively and fight the Jamaicans head-on.

That affected the final two hours later.

Not worth the candle.

It was a complete waste of Shubenkov, who was ranked first.

Liu Xiang himself had done similar things before.

For example, Osaka in 07.

He was unable to sustain two high-intensity shots due to a fever and physical discomfort before the match.

Since that's the case, let's just throw one shot in the semi-finals.

Although the position isn't ideal, I still have enough stamina to handle the final.

Although it is important to get a good position for the role.

However, if it takes more physical effort to get this position, then it's not worth it.

You must make this choice.

Xie Wenjun here...

Liu Xiang thought it was well done.

All that's left is to lock the third position.

Letting the first two compete isn't out of the question.

The tenth hurdle, the last one, became the final battle of this contest.

Shubenkov had completely secured the victory. His hurdle clearing was still calm and composed, with every detail showing the control of a top athlete. After clearing the hurdle, the blue figure sprinted with all his might, further widening his lead.

The Jamaican held on tightly to second place, showing no signs of letting up as he cleared the hurdle. Upon landing, he immediately launched into sprint mode, significantly increasing his arm swing in an attempt to widen the gap between himself and Xie Wenjun.

Xie Wenjun is here...

Suddenly, he stopped walking.

Maintaining third place is enough.

Moreover, he knew that his group was the strongest, so as long as he ran the first few hurdles well, Xiao Q would be no problem.

If we can get second place, we should get second place.

We couldn't get second place.

Then I might as well conserve my energy and keep Little Q calm.

Wait two hours before going all out.

Because the final match two hours later will be the ultimate battleground that truly determines who will win the honor.

It is home to the world's top hurdlers, and every hurdle cleared and every step frequency adjustment can affect the final ranking.

Xie Wenjun is well aware that the hurdles event is extremely physically demanding. From the initial acceleration to the transitions between hurdles, and finally the sprint, every step requires immense physical strength. If she were to exert herself to the utmost in the semifinals to secure a top-two finish in her group, even if she succeeded, it could lead to excessive physical exhaustion, thus affecting her performance in the finals.

after all.

He is not Liu Xiang.

I don't have the ability to maintain two shots at that high intensity.

In that case, we might as well start from our own reality.

Just secure your spot in the next round.

Therefore, from the moment he stepped onto the track, his tactics were clearly based on long-term considerations.

The core objective of the semi-finals is to advance. Once a spot in the finals is secured, the team will no longer blindly fight, but will strategically conserve energy to save the most crucial strength for the ultimate showdown.

If you can get first or second place, then get second; if you can't get first or second place, then hold onto third.

It now seems to be the latter.

As Xie Wenjun approached the tenth hurdle, her red uniform shone brightly under the lights, and her 1.90-meter frame maintained an upright and graceful posture.

He was not disrupted by Shubenkov's lead, nor was he impatient due to the potential pressure of being caught up from behind; he continued to maintain the rhythm of his hurdles.

The three-step transition between hurdles is fluid and seamless, with each step landing firmly and steadily, without any hesitation. On the first step, the ball of the foot cushions the impact quickly, cleverly converting the force into propulsion.

The second step involves a natural extension of the stride, laying a solid foundation for the take-off.

The third step, the final step before the stride, involves shifting his center of gravity slightly forward and landing steadily on his back foot. Without deliberately increasing the intensity of his effort, he precisely found the most energy-efficient stride posture.

At the moment of takeoff, Xie Wenjun's movements maintained the professional level of a top athlete.

When the back foot pushes off the ground, the power is transmitted smoothly and evenly, and the hip opening is just right, which ensures the smoothness of clearing the hurdle without excessive consumption of muscle energy.

His body soared into the air, his torso maintaining a stable forward lean angle, which reduced wind resistance and created an efficient propulsive flow. The alternating leg movements over the hurdles were smooth and clean; the front leg extended fully but not stiffly, while the rear leg folded tightly but not crampedly. The entire process was almost silent, as if the hurdles had never existed.

This near-perfect hurdling technique is the result of his years of honing, and it is also the source of his confidence that allows him to calmly ease up at this moment—even without going all out, his solid technique ensures that he can hurdle steadily without making any mistakes.

The moment he landed after clearing the hurdle, Xie Wenjun made the most crucial tactical choice. Shubenkov immediately unleashed his full power upon landing, his leg drive suddenly intensifying, his arm swing widening dramatically, and his blue figure shot towards the finish line like an arrow released from a bow.

Hansler didn't dare to relax at all. The moment he landed, he increased his pace, and the yellow figure kept close behind the one in front, trying to narrow the gap with Shubenkov.

And Xie Wenjun...

The force of the foot cushioning the landing was noticeably slower, and the acceleration was not as quick as it was in the first nine hurdles. Instead, the rhythm of the force exertion was deliberately adjusted.

His arm swing amplitude gradually narrowed, no longer pursuing the ultimate acceleration and explosive power, but instead maintaining a steady and regular swing. Each arm swing was precisely coordinated with the leg movements, so as not to waste excess energy and to maintain body balance.

The force exerted by pushing off the ground with the legs was also restrained, and the explosive power of the deep muscles was no longer mobilized. Instead, the momentum and rhythm of the muscles were relied upon to move forward steadily.

His pace naturally slowed down, his steps remained steady but no longer hurried, each step landing lightly and firmly, without any distortion of movement or swaying of center of gravity due to the reduction of force.

This "effortless" running posture, seemingly slowing down, is actually a top athlete's precise control over their own condition.

He knew perfectly well that with his current lead, even without accelerating, he could secure third place in the group and guarantee a spot in the next round. Rather than exhausting himself in the semifinals, he decided to conserve his energy for the more important final.

The seasoned spectators by the track gradually understood Xie Wenjun's tactical intentions. Their initial urgent shouts of "Go!" slowly turned into calm and firm cheers of "Go Xie Wenjun!"

The crowd waved five-pointed stars, their eyes filled with understanding and expectation—they knew that the Chinese champion before them was not lacking in strength, but rather was building up his strength for an even greater goal.

The professionals nodded to each other and whispered their approval: "That's a smart running style. The final is the real test, so conserving energy is crucial now!"

The children rode on their parents' shoulders.

Although I cannot fully understand the deeper meaning of the tactics.

But he still waved the small national flag vigorously.

The crisp shouts blended into the grand sound waves.

To become the purest form of support.

In the final 10 meters of the flat run, Xie Wenjun maintained a composed pace. His head was upright, his gaze fixed on the finish line, yet he showed no sign of urgency. His shoulders remained stable and lowered, without any shrugging or swaying due to the exertion of force. The coordinated power of his upper and lower limbs remained precise, and every movement served the core objectives of "conserving energy" and "steady progress."

He gradually widened the gap between himself and Papillon ahead, but always kept his opponents far behind, firmly occupying the third position.

This "neither reckless nor complacent" attitude is the culmination of his experience over the past few years, and also reflects his responsibility and commitment as a leading figure in Chinese hurdling.

He not only wants to win a spot in the finals for himself, but also wants to be in top form and bring glory to Chinese athletics in the finals.

Shubenkov crossed the finish line first, and a burst of enthusiastic applause erupted from the stadium the moment his blue figure crossed the finish line.

13.09.

They have real strength.

They certainly came on strong.

They demonstrated their strength here, and even a gap appeared later on.

Hansler followed closely behind, and as he crossed the finish line in his yellow jersey, cheers erupted once again.

13.16.

Second in the group.

Direct promotion.

And when Xie Wenjun's red figure steadily crossed the finish line.

The roar of the "Bird's Nest" stadium reached its peak instantly.

The audience stood up and applauded his wisdom and perseverance.

The numbers on the electronic timer are clearly displayed:
Xie Wenjun finished third in her group with a time of 13.20 seconds.

Garfield Darryl, 4th 13.25.

American athlete Alek Harris finished fifth in his group at 13.29.

Shane Braswait 13.31, sixth in the group.

……

"13.20 seconds is great. This time is very reliable. Historically, this time has always guaranteed a place in the finals." Liu Xiang was confident about achieving this qualifying time.

Seeing Liu Xiang say this, Yang Jian immediately followed up, "If we can hold onto Xiao Q steadily, that would indeed be a very smart move, because the finals will start in two hours."

“For Xie Wenjun, it might be better to conserve more energy than to waste too much energy here.”

"Yes, now let's see how the other groups are doing. If we can conserve our energy here, I think we might still have a chance to make a run in the finals."

"Let's take a look at the situation of the other groups."

……

Merritt seemed to have regained some form ahead of the major competition, taking first place in his group with a time of 13.08 seconds.

And this group is also facing a slight headwind.

It has a very high gold content.

Omar McLeod finished second in his group with a time of 13.14 seconds.

French athlete Pascal Martino-Lagarde finished third with a time of 13.17 seconds.

This means his score surpassed Xie Wenjun's by one position.

This made Liu Xiang's heart skip a beat.

It's clear that while the number of super athletes is decreasing, the overall strength is improving.

Athletes who can run under 13.20 seconds.

The range of 13.10+ is becoming increasingly common.

If the next group is like this too, then it's very likely...

Xie Wenjun's tactics will fail.

Liu Xiang suddenly became nervous as well.

The last group.

Dimitri Basco was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 13.16 seconds.

David Oliver, the champion of the Moscow World Championships, had a time of 13.17 seconds.

No way.

Liu Xiang almost began to question the meaning of life.

If this is really the case.

If another one under 13.20 seconds.

Xie Wenjun was indeed eliminated.

That would be too terrible.

No one in history has ever been eliminated from the finals based on this score.

That really caught everyone off guard.

Sun Haiping felt about the same way. He was quite satisfied with Xie Wenjun's semi-final result and had conserved her energy.

We can give it our all in the finals.

But if this continues...

If another athlete comes along with a time under 13.20 seconds, then forget about conserving your energy for the final; you won't even have a chance to run the final.

The physical strength was wasted.

Instead, it delayed their entry into the finals.

He's become a bit of a fool.

Moreover, this is also the coaching staff's intention; if such a situation really occurs, the coaching staff will have to take the blame.

Sun Haiping silently cursed the progressiveness of this era.

However, after seeing the results for third place...

Matthias Bouler —

13.34.

Sun Haiping breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the German athlete had run a time of 13.34 seconds.

They even developed a great fondness for Germany as a country.

"Alright, Xie Wenjun has successfully advanced."

Liu Xiang was also relieved.

"In that case, we'll have a chance to fight it out in the finals."

"It's just that the location might not be very good."

“It doesn’t matter if the location isn’t good,” Liu Xiang said.

"Back then, even though I was assigned to the very edge, I could still win the championship."

"The key is to find your own rhythm, maintain your physical fitness, and accurately adjust your state."

"In any case, Xie Wenjun has now completed the first phase of the task. Let him rest well first, and then we'll lend him our luck in two hours."

"Okay." Yang Jian glanced at the camera the director was showing and nodded with a smile, saying, "The men's 110-meter hurdles competition is now over."

"Don't go away after the commercial break. The 100-meter semi-final is about to begin."

"I'll see you later."

Done.

The live stream then switched to advertisements.

Liu Xiang couldn't resist and picked up his phone.

He typed a few words and sent them to Sun Haiping.

"so close."

Sun Haiping replied with a few words after seeing it.

"I almost had to go on stage and give a self-criticism again."

Liu Xiang almost burst out laughing when he saw this.

In 08.

It's because of my own problems.